AAR Airlift Support of U.S. Military in Afghanistan Extended

WOOD DALE, Ill., Dec. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- AAR (NYSE: AIR) announced today that the United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) has exercised a renewal option for AAR to provide airlift support in Afghanistan from December 2012 through November 2013. The renewal has a value of approximately $143 million in revenue and is part of a contract originally awarded to AAR in 2008. The Company announced a separate contract renewal for airlift support in November of this year.

Under this contract, AAR Airlift provides rotary-wing aircraft and related personnel, equipment and maintenance to transport personnel, cargo and mail in support of U.S. and NATO operations in Afghanistan. This renewal calls for AAR to continue supporting this requirement using 10 heavy-lift Sikorsky S-61 and two medium-lift Puma SA 330J helicopters.

"The extension reflects the U.S. government's continued confidence in our ability to meet the arduous demands of supporting tactical airlift missions in challenging environments," said Randy Martinez, President, AAR Airlift. "AAR is committed to providing the Department of Defense with critical military support to sustain its operations in Afghanistan and around the world."

AAR Airlift provides expeditionary airlift services and performs specialized aircraft modifications for defense, security and humanitarian relief operations. AAR currently supports the U.S. Department of Defense in Afghanistan, Africa and the Pacific Rim, and is ranked one of the top defense contractors in the world.

About AAR

AAR is a global aerospace and defense contractor employing more than 6,000 people in 17 countries. Based in Wood Dale, Illinois, AAR uses its close-to-the-customer business model to serve customers through two operating segments: Aviation Services and Technology Products. More information can be found at www.aarcorp.com.

This press release contains certain statements relating to future results, which are forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on beliefs of Company management, as well as assumptions and estimates based on information currently available to the Company, and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated, including those factors discussed under Item 1A, entitled "Risk Factors", included in the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2012. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize adversely, or should underlying assumptions or estimates prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described. These events and uncertainties are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many are beyond the Company's control. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events. For additional information, see the comments included in AAR's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.